Stephen Burton
| Name | Stephen Burton |
| Date of birth | 7/1/1961 |
| Threat level | Beta |
| Energy Source | External |
| Ability Description | Energy Absorber |
| Affiliation | The Inner World |
| Location | Unknown |
Biography
Stephen Burton was born in Detroit Michigan in 1961. Stephen Differentiated at the age of 15, although he kept his abilities secret. He lived there until the age of 17, when he moved to to the Different community The Inner World located north of San Fransisco. Stephen lived there and worked to develop his abilities. Stephen's body is able to absorb and redirect sound. He used those skills to work as a musician. Provided with a source of acoustic energy, Stephen could produce melodies and rhythms that were not possible using traditional instruments. Stephen even performed a few concerts in the late 1970s to early 1980s before The Plagues reached their peak of devastation.
Stephen continued to live at The Inner World even as the community declined due to The Plagues. The Inner World disbanded in the mid 1980's. The community's last official act was its participation in The Beat, a concert and art performance that was the first broadcast on the fledgling think.Net network. The penultimate performance of the show came from by Stephen and Martina Diaz. Stephen's mastery of sound combined with Martina's mastery of light to create a dazzling display that left a lasting impression on everyone who viewed it.
After the passage of the Different Acts of 1986, all Differents were required to turn themselves over to defense Department Section 26 for evaluation. Stephen turned himself in when the law passed. Stephen was evaluated by Section 26 for six months, after which he was released without any employment interest, but with instructions to return monthly to see if that situation changed. Stephen Burton never returned. After his release from Section 26, all contact with him was lost. Individuals aware of his location should notify Section 26 personnel.
Differentiation
Stephen is an External Energy Source Different and is able to absorb and manipulate sound waves in his surrounding area. Stephen can use this ability to create an area of silence in which no sound can be heard. Stephen is able to control his ability, suppressing his body’s sound absorption. Stephen is able to use that stored energy to manipulate other sound-waves, altering them into virtually any frequency or amplitude, provided his has enough stored energy. Stephen is sustained by the sound and unable to process calories for energy; therefore, there is a minimum amount of acoustic energy Stephen must adsorb daily in order to survive, though most urban locations provide more than adequate ambient noise.
